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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Former Lobo diver and All-American diver hasn't stopped training simply because she is no longer a student-athlete at the University of New Mexico. In fact, having so much more free time has given the 2012 Mountain West 1- and 3-meter springboard champion more opportunities to train. This week she hopes to capitalize on those opportunities when she travels to Tallahassee, Fla., for the 2013 USA Diving FINA World Championships and World University Game Trials taking place May 15-20.

Erickson is one of 92 divers who entered, both men and women combined, to try and advance on to either the World Championships taking place in Barcelona, Spain or the World University Games in Russia.

"We're really looking forward to this meet," said Head Diving Coach Abel Sanchez. "She's been training really well and this is a great opportunity for her to compete and put forward a good effort."

Unlike NCAA diving meets and qualifiers, during which athletes get six dives, the dives are reduce to five at FINA (Federation Internationale De Natation) events. After the preliminary round the top eight divers will move the move on to the final round.

"Once you get to the finals round and top eight it's really anybody's game," Sanchez said. "It's all about the little things at that point, but I think Ashlee has the opportunity to do well. We're looking at this as not only a learning experience but the chance to possibly make some national teams as well."

The top two finishers during the finals round will advance on to World Championships while the next top two divers, who are collegiate athletes, will go on to the World University Games.